Folding Table Platform for Use on a Vertical Shaft or Pole

ABSTRACT

A platform assembly that attaches to a shaft. The platform assembly includes a hub that is mounted in a fixed position. Cradle supports extend from the hub. The cradle supports define open troughs having open tops between opposing side surfaces. Support arms are provided that are connected to the cradle supports with pivot connections. The pivot connections enable the support arms to rotate between an open position and a folded position. In the open position, each of the support arms lay flush in the open troughs. In the folded position, each of the support arms are angled away from the open trough. A flexible panel is supported by the support arms. The flexible panel is held taut in a horizontal plane when the support arms are in their open positions. The flexible panel is folded and collapsed when the support arms are moved to their folded positions.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional patent applicationNo. 62/665,303, filed May 1, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to table platforms and othersuch structures that attach to vertical poles and shafts. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to platform that areattached to vertical poles at hinge joints and rotate into place from astored position along the length of the vertical pole.

2. Prior Art Description

Large umbrellas, such as beach umbrellas and patio umbrellas areinherently top heavy. As such, the shaft of the umbrella must beanchored into the ground or placed in a stand in order to hold theumbrella upright. On patios, large umbrellas are typically placed insupport stands. This avoids the need to dig an anchor hole in theground. Often the stand for the umbrella is part of, or used inconjunction with, a patio table. The shaft of the umbrella passesthrough a hole in the center of the table, wherein the table acts as astand and holds the umbrella in place. The umbrella then provides shadeover and around the supporting table. Such prior art table stands areexemplified by U.S. Patent No. 2002/0036008 to Hickam.

Providing a table platform around the shaft of an umbrella provides manyconveniences. For example, it provides a shaded place to hold food anddrink. It also provides a shaded place to hold electronic devices, suchas cell phones, that can overheat if left in direct sunlight. However,although using a table platform is practical on a patio, the use oftable stands for an umbrella is very impractical when being used at abeach or a public park. Umbrellas, chairs and other such gear must becarried to a beach or park before it is erected. Often the umbrella andgear must be carried a long distance to the beach or park. Carryinglarge heavy table stands such distances is both difficult andimpractical.

Recognizing the convenience of having a table platform under anumbrella, lightweight table platforms have been developed and marketed,that attach directly to the shaft of an umbrella. Such table platformstend to be rigid platforms that attach to the shaft of the umbrella withtools. Such prior art platforms are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No.6,837,386 to Kent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,394 to Schmidt, U.S. Pat. No.2,805,109 to Kopmar, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2007/0246091 to Becker. The obvious problem with such prior artplatforms is that they are difficult to install and remove. Furthermore,the presence of the platform dramatically increases the bulk of theumbrella, making the umbrella difficult to transport and store. Theplatform also often prevents the umbrella from being able to fullyclose.

In the prior art, some folding platforms have been produced that aredesigned to attach to the pole of an umbrella. Such prior art foldingplatforms are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 1,373,665 to Lozon. Theproblems with such folding platforms are twofold. First, the platformsfold downward in the direction of gravity. As a result, when objects,such as beverages are placed on the platform, the platform is biasedinto its folded position. This limits the amount of weight that canplaced on the platforms before the platforms collapse. The secondproblem is that the folding platforms rely upon linkage arms to hold theplatform open. For strength, the linkage arms are typically made ofsteel and contain rivet joints. The steel and the rivet joints areexpensive components that easily rust or corrode. This is especiallytrue when exposed to the brine mists along an ocean beach. As thelinkage arms rust and corrode, these components become difficult to moveand lock into place. As a result, the support components are leftunlocked. Consequently, the structural support for the platform iscompromised and its ability to support any significant weight isundermined.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,706,834 to Taylor shows a folding table that attaches toa pole. The table is made of cloth and is held up by narrow support armsthat have a slight angle of inclination. The support arms are madelightweight and bend easily. Much of the strength provided by thesupport arms come from the slight angle of inclination provided to thesupport arms. However, if a heavy object, such as a bowl of fruit or asix pack of beer, is placed on the table, the support arms can buckleand cause part of the table to collapse.

The present invention is an improved stand assembly with a folding tablesupport that is stronger, more reliable, easier to utilize, and cheaperto manufacture than prior art designs. The details of the presentinvention are described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a platform assembly that is attached to avertical shaft, such as that of an umbrella or umbrella stand. Theplatform assembly includes a hub that is mounted in a fixed position tothe vertical shaft. A plurality of cradle supports extend from the hub.Each of the cradle supports has a first end that is affixed to the hub,an open second end, a bottom surface, and two opposing side surfacesthat bracket the bottom surface. This cradle support structure definesan open trough having an open top and a first width between the opposingside surfaces.

A plurality of support arms are provided that are connected to thecradle supports with pivot connections. The pivot connections enableeach of the support arms to rotate between an open position and a foldedposition. When in the open position each of the support arms lay flushin the open troughs of the cradle supports. When in the folded position,each of the support arms are angled away from the open trough to aposition that is parallel or near parallel to the vertical shaft.

A flexible panel is supported by the support arms. The flexible panel isheld taut in a horizontal plane when the support arms are in their openpositions. The flexible panel is folded and collapsed when the supportarms are moved to their folded positions.

Protrusions are provided on each of the cradle supports. The protrusionsextend into the open trough. The protrusions create a gap that issmaller than the width of the support arms. As such, the support armsmust be forced past the protrusions by applying a force in excess ofsome threshold. The protrusions, therefore, lock the support arms intoeither their open positions or their closed positions until a thresholdmoving force is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is madeto the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof,considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a table stand assembly in its openconfiguration;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a table stand assembly in its foldedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a fragmented view of a hub and support arm used in the tablestand assembly and shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 is a fragmented view of the hub and support arm used in the tablestand assembly and shown in a folded configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cradle support shown in theembodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment where the table stand assembly isintegrated into the structure of an umbrella;

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment, wherein the present invention isembodied as a shelf instead of a table; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmented exploded view of the alternate embodiment of FIG.7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention table stand assembly can be configured in manyways and can be adapted for use in many applications. For example, thetable stand assembly can be configured as part of an umbrella pole.Although the present invention can be used in many such applications,only three exemplary embodiments are illustrated and described. Theexemplary embodiments are selected in order to set forth three of thebest modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments,however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitationswhen interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention is embodied as atable stand assembly 10. The table stand assembly 10 can be used tosupport a secondary object, such as a beach umbrella, a flag pole or afishing pole. The table stand assembly 10 has a center shaft 12. Thecenter shaft 12 is tubular and has a first end 14 and an opposite secondend 16. The first end 14 is open to receive the secondary object. Theopposite second end 16 is closed and terminates with an auger 20. Theauger 20 is tapered and has flights 18 that enable the auger 20 to beeasily screwed into sand or other loose soil by simply rotating theshaft 12 with a clockwise rotation.

The table stand assembly 10 utilizes a central hub 22 that is anchoredto the shaft 12 in a fixed position. The central hub 22 can be anchoredin place using mechanical fasteners and/or adhesive. Likewise, thecentral hub 22 can be made part of the shaft 12 during the manufactureof the shaft 12.

A plurality of support arms 24 are provided that attach to the hub 22 atpivot connections 26. The pivot connections 26 enable the varioussupport arms 24 to move between a folded configuration (FIG. 2) and anopen configuration (FIG. 1). In the folded configuration, the supportarms 24 are parallel, or near parallel, to the shaft 12. In the openconfiguration, the support arms 24 are inclined at an angle relative tothe vertical shaft. The angle of inclination A1 is preferably betweenforty degrees and eighty degrees. Each support arm 24 has first end 25and an opposite second end 27. The first end 25 connects to the centralhub 22 and the second end 27 engages a flexible panel 30.

The flexible panel 30 has a peripheral geometric shape. The peripheralgeometric shape is a polygon, wherein a number of straight sides 31 andsalient points 32 are symmetrically formed along the periphery of theflexible panel 30. The number of salient points 32 corresponds to thenumber of support arms 24 extending from the central hub 22. In theshown embodiment, there are four support arms 24. As such, the flexiblepanel 30 has a rhombus shape with four salient points 32. The supportarms 24 engage the flexible panel 30 at or near the salient points 32.The flexible panel 30 and the support arms 24 are sized so that theflexible panel 30 is pulled taut by the spreading support arms 24 as thesupport arms 24 move into their open configurations.

The shaft 12 passes through the geometric center of the flexible panel30. To accommodate the shaft 12, a hole 34 is formed in the center ofthe flexible panel 30. If desired, an optional collar 36 can be fastenedto the flexible panel 30 around the hole 34 to help the flexible panel30 move along the shaft 12 during folding and unfolding. The collar 36may be free moving on the shaft 12. Alternatively, the collar 36 can befixed to the shaft 12 to help increase the tautness of the flexiblepanel 30 when the support arms 24 move to their open configurations.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, itcan be seen that the central hub 22 has cradle supports 38 radiallyextending therefrom. Each cradle support 38 has a first end 41 that isaffixed to the central hub. The cradle support 38 has a bottom surface43 that is cradled between two opposing side surfaces 45. The bottomsurface 43 and the side surfaces 45 extend from the first end 41 to anopen second end 47. The cradle support 38 has an open top, thereincreating a half-tube construct that defines an open trough 40. Eachtrough 40 preferably extends between one and five centimeters from thehub 22 and is angled at the same angle of inclination A1 as is desiredof the support arms 24, when the support arms 24 are in their openconfiguration.

Each support arm 24 is pivotably connected to a cradle support 38. Apivot pin 42 extends through the side surfaces 45 of each support arm24. The pivot pin 42 passes though the structure of the support arm 24proximate its first end 25. This creates a pivot connection between thecradle supports 38 and the support arms 24. This enables the supportarms 24 to rotate between their open configurations and their foldedconfigurations. When the support arms 24 are rotated to their openconfigurations, the support arms 24 lay flush against the bottomsurfaces 43 of the troughs 40, wherein the support arms 24 aremechanically supported by the cradle supports 38 at the angle ofinclination A1. Conversely, when the support arms 24 are in their foldedconfigurations, the support arms 24 extend up and away from the troughs40 in a nearly vertical orientation. See FIG. 4.

A set of protrusions 44 are formed on the side surfaces 45 of the cradlesupports 38. The protrusions 44 face into the open trough 40. Referringto FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it can be seen that theopen trough 40 has a first width W1 between the two opposing sidesurfaces 45. The first width W1 is slightly greater than the width W2 ofthe support arms 24. In this manner, a support arm 24 can freely lay inthe trough 40 when in its open configuration. The protrusions 44 arepositioned high in the trough 40. As such, there is enough area belowthe protrusions 44 to accommodate a support arm 24, when the support arm24 is in its open configuration. The presence of the protrusions 44narrows the trough 40 between the protrusions 44. The width W3 betweenthe protrusions 44 is narrower than the width W2 of the support arm 24.As a consequence, the support arm 24 must be forced passed theprotrusions 44 when being moved between its open configuration and itsfolded configuration. When the support arm 24 is rotated against theprotrusions 44 with enough force, the side surfaces 45 of the cradlesupports 38 elastically spread to enable passage of the support arm 24.As soon as the support arm 24 passes, the side surfaces 45 andprotrusions 44 return to their original positions.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, when the support arms 24 are in their openconfigurations, the support arms 24 are positioned in the troughs 40between the bottom surfaces 43 of the cradle supports 38 and theprotrusions 44. The presence of the protrusions 44 prevent the supportarms 24 from leaving their open configurations until a strong enoughfolding force is applied. The force required to move the support arm 24passed the protrusions 44 is greater than the counteracting tensionforces exerted by the stretching flexible panel 30. As such, the supportarms 24 become locked in their open configurations.

Using manual force, the support arms 24 can be rotated passed theprotrusions 44 from the open configuration of FIG. 3 to the foldedconfiguration of FIG. 4. Once the support arms 24 are rotated into thefolded configuration, the protrusions 44, act as stops and prevent thesupport arms 24 from inadvertently moving toward the open configuration.It will therefore be understood that the presence of the protrusions 44help maintain the support arms 24 in both their open configurations andtheir folded configurations.

When the support arms 24 are in their open configurations, they stretchthe flexible panel 30 taut. The flexible panel 30 is stretched into ornear a horizontal plane. As can be best seen in FIG. 1, the flexiblepanel 30 can have a variety of auxiliary elements 46 sewn into itsfabric. Those auxiliary elements 46 include cup holders, cell phoneholders, eyeglass holders and the like. The number and type of auxiliaryelements 46 is a matter of design choice.

It will be further understood that in order to utilize the invention,the table stand assembly 10 is carried to a location in its stowedconfiguration. The stand assembly 10 is placed on the ground and theauger 20 is turned into the soil or sand. Once the auger 20 is set, thesupport arms 24 are rotated from their folded configurations to theiropen configurations, therein stretching the flexible panel 30 taut. Theflexible panel 30 can then be used to support items, such as drinks,phones and sunscreen. The more weight that is added to the flexiblepanel 30, the more force presses the support arms 24 into their cradlesupports 38. Accordingly, the flexible panel 30 can hold large weightswithout being biased closed.

In the first embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, a table stand assemblyis shown that is capable of holding an umbrella, flag pole or the like.Referring to FIG. 6, an embodiment is shown where the table standassembly 50 is constructed as part of a beach umbrella 52. In such anembodiment, it will be understood that a hub 53 can be attached to, ormade part of, the pole 54 of the beach umbrella 52. The workings of thetable stand assembly 50 remain the same as described for the firstembodiment.

In all previous embodiments, the table stand assembly symmetricallysupports a flexible panel around the entire circumference of a shaft.However, this need not be the case. Referring to FIG. 7 in conjunctionwith FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of a table stand assembly 60 isshown that creates a shelf that extends from a shaft 62 in only onedirection.

The table stand assembly 60 has a hub 64 that is either affixed to theshaft 62 or made as part of the shaft 62. Cradle supports 66 extend fromthe hub 64. The cradle supports 66 are not symmetrically disposed.Rather, the cradle supports 66 extend in only limited directions. In theshown embodiment, two cradle supports 66 are shown. The two cradlesupports 66 are oriented at or near a right angle.

Support arms 68 are connected to the cradle supports 66 in the samemanner as was described for the first embodiment. The support arms 68engage and support a flexible panel 70. In the shown embodiment, theflexible panel 70 is triangular shaped and extends primarily in onedirection from the shaft 62. When open, the flexible panel 70 can beused as a shelf to hold items such as a phone, food or a beverage.

In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, an optional support rod 72 is shown. The supportrod 72 has a first end 74 and an opposite second end 76. The first end74 of the support rod 72 is affixed to the hub 64 below the plane of thecradle supports 66. The first end 74 of the support rod 72 is attachedto the hub 64 at a hinge connection 78. The second end 76 of the supportrod 72 engages the flexible panel 70 at some point between the twosupport arms 68. Since the support rod 72 originates at a lower point onthe hub 64, the support rod 72 is inclined at a steeper angle than arethe support arms 68. This enables the support rod 72 to bear more weightthan the support arms 68. As such, the capacity of the table standassembly 60 remains high even though there are only two support arms 68.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention thatare illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a personskilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. Allsuch embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A platform assembly for attachment to a verticalshaft, said assembly comprising: a hub affixed to said vertical shaft; aplurality of cradle supports extending from said hub, wherein each ofsaid plurality of cradle supports has a first end that is affixed tosaid hub, an open second end, a bottom surface, and two opposing sidesurfaces that bracket said bottom surface, wherein said bottom surfaceand said opposing side surfaces define an open trough having an open topand a first width between said opposing side surfaces; a plurality ofsupport arms connected to said plurality of cradle supports with pivotconnections, wherein said pivot connections enable each of saidplurality of support arms to rotate between an open position and afolded position, wherein when in said open position each of saidplurality of support arms lay flush in said open trough of saidplurality of cradle supports, and wherein when in said folded position,each of said plurality of support arms are angled away from said opentrough; and a flexible panel supported by said plurality of supportarms.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of saidplurality of support arms has a second width no greater than said firstwidth of said open trough, therein enabling said plurality of supportarms to lay within said plurality of cradle supports.
 3. The assemblyaccording to claim 2, further including protrusions on each of saidplurality of cradle supports that extend into said open trough.
 4. Theassembly according to claim 3, wherein said protrusions are positioned athird width apart, wherein said third width is smaller than said secondwidth of each of said plurality of support arms.
 5. The assemblyaccording to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of cradle supportselastically yields to enable passage of said plurality of support armsbetween said protrusions when said plurality of support arms aremanually manipulated between said open position and said folded positionwith a threshold force.
 6. The assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid plurality of support arms are pivotably connected to said cradlesupports by pivot pins that pass through said plurality of support armsand said side surfaces of said cradle supports.
 7. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said cradle supports are symmetricallydisposed around said hub.
 8. The assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid bottom surface of each of said plurality of cradle supports has anangle of inclination between forty degrees and eighty degrees withrespect to a vertical plane.
 9. The assembly according to claim 1,wherein said plurality of support arms hold said flexible panel taut ina horizontal plane when in said open position.
 10. A platform assemblyfor attachment to a vertical shaft, said assembly comprising: a shaft; ahub disposed along said shaft; a plurality of cradle supports extendingfrom said hub, wherein each of said plurality of cradle supports has afirst end that is affixed to said hub, an open second end, a bottomsurface, and opposing side surfaces that bracket said bottom surface,wherein said bottom surface and said opposing side surfaces define anopen trough of a first width between said opposing side surfaces; aplurality of support arms connected to said plurality of cradle supportswith pivot connections, wherein said pivot connections enable each ofsaid plurality of support arms to rotate between an open position and afolded position, wherein when in said open position each of said supportarms lay flush in said open trough, and wherein when in said foldedposition, each of said support arms are angled away from said opentrough; and a flexible panel supported by said plurality of supportarms.
 11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein each of saidplurality of support arms has a second width no greater than said firstwidth of said open trough, therein enabling said plurality of supportarms to lay within said plurality of cradle supports.
 12. The assemblyaccording to claim 10, further including protrusions on each of saidplurality of support arms that extend into said open trough.
 13. Theassembly according to claim 12, wherein said protrusions are positioneda third width apart, wherein said third width is smaller than saidsecond width of each of said plurality of support arms.
 14. The assemblyaccording to claim 13, wherein each of said plurality of cradle supportselastically yields to enable passage of said plurality of support armsbetween said protrusions when said plurality of support arms aremanually manipulated between said open position and said foldedposition.
 15. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein said pluralityof support arms are pivotably connected to said cradle supports by pivotpins that pass through said plurality of support arms and said sidesurfaces of said cradle supports.
 16. The assembly according to claim10, wherein said bottom surface of each of said plurality of cradlesupports has an angle of inclination between forty degrees and eightydegrees with respect to said shaft.
 17. The assembly according to claim10, wherein said plurality of support arms hold said flexible panel tautin a horizontal plane when in said open position.
 18. The assemblyaccording to claim 10, further including a support rod that extends fromsaid hub to said flexible panel, wherein said support rod is disposedbetween two of said plurality of support arms.
 19. The assemblyaccording to claim 18 wherein said plurality of support arms are affixedto said plurality of cradle supports on said hub at a first elevationalong said shaft and said support rod is affixed to said hub at adifferent second elevation along said shaft.
 20. The assembly accordingto claim 10, wherein said shaft is part of an umbrella.